Fighting For Their Rights

Executive Reports to General Meeting of Pacific Territories Association

NOTHING of a definite character has been heard from the responsible authorities since Pacific Territories Association delegates succeeded in obtaining an interview with the Minister of External Territories, Senator Frazer, on September 7, and putting before him the problems and plight of Pacific evacuees.

A report of the deputation was printed in the September issue of “PIM.”

The deputation sought official action concerning a large number of matters, which were grouped under four general headings—namely, compensation for war damage; the plan of the military

administration to take control of plan tations and operate same, on a basis of paying the owners a percentage on the assessed capital value; the non-payment of moneys due by the Defence authori ties and by the Territories Administra tions; and the matter of planning for conditions in the Territories after the war.

At a general meeting of the Associa tion held in Sydney, on September 30, a report of the activities of the Associa tion, up to date, was submitted by the Executive and discussed, in varying degrees of heat, by members who had

met the brick-wall of apparent official disinterest in the problems created by their evacuation from the Territories.

Members generally were angry and dis appointed at the complete lack of inter est displayed by Ministers and officials in them and their affairs.

Miners And Planters

rERE appeared to be some heart burnings on the part of a few min ing members, in that the interests of the planters apparently were taking up the time and activities of the Asso ciation (or its executive) to the exclusion of all else.

It was pointed out that the much discussed “Plantation Order No. 4”— although it was officially known as such —applied to all New Guinea property, whether mining, planting or anything else. With regard to the question of looting—a question that takes priority over all else in the Association’s fight to obtain justice for evacuees—probably the miners stand to lose, or to gain, more than other ex-residents of the Ter ritories.

The case of the Papuan planter, nevertheless, is slightly different from that of others, in that his property actually may be worked; and it was on his behalf that strong representations were made to the Minister, on Septem ber 7, that, as soon as possible, planters should be allowed to return. It is argued that the production of copra, cocoa, rubber or any other raw material, is vital to the Allies’ war-effort. The production of gold is not.

Papuan Plantations

TWO letters have been received from the Department of the Army by the Association—the last on September I—each1 —each referring to this question of repatriation of planters. The matter had been referred to the G.O.C. Austra lian Forces in Port Moresby, and he intimated that repatriation was not pos sible under conditions existing then— that is, in August.

It is known that men have been recruited in Australia for the purpose of conducting Papuan plantations for the military authorities. A few of them have actually left Australia to do that job; but many more are still here, and what is to become of them ultimately is a close, Departmental secret.

Captain Stanfield reported that at the present time no plantations at all were being worked in Papua—there is no labour available for anything but mili tary projects. He was of opinion that if the Association could formulate a cut and-dried plan for working these, the ANGAU might accept it, as they appeared to be at a loss as to how to go about it themselves.

Damage To Mining Property

rE news which Captain Stanfield gave of Wau should set the mining fra ternity’s minds at rest as regards war damage, if nothing else. There is no need to worry about “consequential damage’’ or looting—it is all “direct,” and compensation must be paid accord ingly.

Interview With Minister

MR. L. P. B. Armit (Port Moresby) spoke at some length on the memo randum which was submitted to the Federal Government and more explicitly on the matters discussed with Senator Frazer bv the delegation. He was of the opinion that a general meeting should have been called beforehand and all concerned given a chance to air their opinions.

It was pointed out that Ministers of External Territories are not people who

can be kept waiting until general meet ings are called —and that after trying, in vain, for four months, to gain the ear of anyone in authority, it was necessary for the Association to grasp the opportunity at once, when at last someone showed signs of being prepared to listen to their grievances. Further, if an association elects an executive committee, members should be prepared for it to act for them in an emergency.

Insurance Of Produce

11HE War Damage Commission advised the Association on August 24 that prices for Ist Grade Hot-air or Sun dried copra, on which contributions were to be calculated and compensation assessed, were as follows: F. 0.8. Rabaul and Port Moresby: £9/10/- per ton.

F. 0.8. Madang: £B/18/- per ton.

F. 0.8. Kavieng: £9/1 - per ton.

The price fixed for smoke-dried copra was £1 lower than the above.

If any planter has insured his copra at higher rates, therefore, he is entitled to apply for a refund.

There seems still to be doubt in the minds of planters as to what is insurable in regard to crops and copra; and what is not. The position is defined by the following extract from a letter from the War Damage Commission received by the Association on September 5: — “Any compensation assessed under National Security (War Damage to Pro perty) Regulations, must be in respect of ‘war damage.’ Loss of income through inability to collect and dispose of crops due to enemy action, occupation, etc., will not come under this definition.

“Coconuts: Compensation will be assessed only for damage to the trees and the nuts on the trees—not for nuts on the ground.

‘‘The above applies also to cocoa trees and beans.

“Rubber trees: The ‘potential crop’ is contained in the trees, therefore trees should be insured.”

Evacuees And Income Tax

ACCORDING to the reply from the Taxation Department regarding evacuees’ income tax, the position is as follows: — (1) Evacuees are liable for income tax if their income from all sources in Aus tralia was more than £156 during the year ending June 30, 1942. (2) Returns must be furnished for the total income when it exceeds £156. (3) Even if total incomes were not in excess of £156 during the year ending June 30 and the taxpayer now earns more than £3 a week, it is necessary to lodge a return on the prescribed form in order to obtain an Exemption Certificate.

It is necessary to warn evacuees, how ever. that these Exemption Certificates merely exempt them from having taxa tion deducted from their wages by their employers. If they earn an income in excess of £156 they will have to lodge a return and pay tax when the appropriate time arrives.

Rents And Claims Outstanding

MEMBERS of the Association and others still complain that moneys owing to them for rent, cars, boats and property taken over by the military, have not been met.

A letter received by the Association, on September 25, states that “the military situation in New Guinea and Papua neces sarily imposes some delay in the investi gation of matters arising from the impressment of chattels, occupation of

buildings, etc. However, the subject of your (the Association’s) comment is being referred to the authorities at Port Moresby, and receipt of this report is expected at an early date.”

The letter goes on to say, further, that rents have been already paid up until February s—the date on which Port Moresby was evacuated by order of the G.O.C. Australian Forces in the Terri tory.

In view of this statement, the Associa tion asks those members who are affected to send particulars of unpaid claims, whether they apply to the period before or after February 5, to the secretary of the Association.

Post-War Planning

rIS was one of the four major issues taken up with the Minister on Sep tember 7. Senator Frazer asked the Association, on that occasion, to prepare notes for consideration by a research board that was then compiling informa tion on the subject.

For this purpose, therefore, the Execu tive would be glad to receive notes of any plans or suggestions from individual members. These should be sent to the secretary, Mr. Adelskold, as soon as possible.

Quinine

EVACUEES are finding it particularly

difficult to obtain quinine—or quin ine in any worthwhile quantities.

Due to the Association’s efforts, the Department of Health now advises that if these people obtain a certificate of identification from the Association, or a like body, certifying that they are bona fide Pacific Territories evacuees, they will be able to obtain quinine from any public hospital.